The bill for establishing Chatham County was introduced in the Colonial Assembly, held at New Berne, December 5, 1770. But the bill was not ratified until January 26, 1771 and became effective the first day of April in 1771. The county was named for the first Earl of Chatham - William Pitt, 1708-1778). According to history, the Earl of Chatham was a true believer in the right of America and defended these rights in the British Parliament. Perhaps that zeal of patriotism transmitted itself to the inhabitants of Chatham County, because the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions struck the customary extolling of the King and his titles, in 1773, long before the first shot rang out in New England. Even though Chatham was a Crown Province of North Carolina until statehood was established on July 4, 1776. The county seat of Pittsboro was named for William Pitt, the younger, who was the youngest prime minister of Great Britain. He was 24 years of age, at the time.<br>Chatham was created from Orange County whose area was ten times what it is now. Because of political factions and difficulty in holding court and recording documents, the distance being so great, the counties of Guilford, Wake and Surry were created at the same time as Chatham. As a deterent to the meeting and assembly of these factions and to facilitate the governing of them. Chatham is in the center of the state, in the hilly, timber covered section of the state. The counties that are neighbors are: Almance, Durham, Harnett, Lee, Moore, Orange, Randolph and Wake.

==== Parent County ====

==== Parent County ====

Line 22:

Line 51:

==== Boundary Changes ====

==== Boundary Changes ====

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In 1897 Chatham lost a portion of the NW boundary to Alamance Co., from a survey to establish a previously de facto boundary.

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In 1907 Chatham lost a portion of the SE boundary to form the newly established Lee Co.

==== Record Loss ====

==== Record Loss ====

Many court records missing.

Many court records missing.

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The court minutes and other court records from the time of ratification of the bill to estalish the county, in April of 1771 to 1774, there are no pleas and quarter session minutes.

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There is a gap of about 5 years between 1800 to 1805 in these minutes.

== Places/Localities ==

== Places/Localities ==

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==== Populated Places ====

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==== Populated Places - Population as of the 2000 census ====

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'''&nbsp;Incorporated Cities''':

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*Fearrington - population: 903

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*Goldston - population: 319

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*Pittsboro -&nbsp;&nbsp;County Seat- population 2, 226. It is located 34 mi. SE of the state capitol, Raleigh.

The Register of Deeds Office maintains the following records for public inspection and retrieval:

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*All Chatham County land transactions, including any sales or exchanges of real property in the county. This includes any transactions involving parcels of land, easements, rights of way and leaseholdings.<br>* Security documents, such as deeds of trust, mortgages, and uniform commercial code filings.<br>* Public records of notaries.<br>* Records of businesses operating under assumed names.<br>* Vital records, including births, deaths and marriages. The office provides certified copies of vital records to persons who are eligible under state law. <br>

<br>Clerk of Superior Court<br>The elected Chatham County Clerk of Court is David Samuel Cooper. He and some 14 staff members are responsible for all clerical and record keeping functions of the General Courts of Justice. His staff is spread throughout the courthouse annex and is organized according to their function and duties.

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The Clerk's offices are open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is (919) 542-3240, the fax number is (919) 542-1402, and the mailing address is P.O. Box 369, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

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Decedent's Estates: Periodic inventories and the accountings necessary to administer the estates of deceased persons are filed, and appropriate forms obtained, from Clerk of Court. Estate-related business is conducted and all estate-related records are maintained at the Clerk of Court's Office, 12 East Street, Pittsboro. This office is also where wills are probated. It is a good idea to contact this office before making an official visit in order to insure that all of the required documentation is available.

History

The bill for establishing Chatham County was introduced in the Colonial Assembly, held at New Berne, December 5, 1770. But the bill was not ratified until January 26, 1771 and became effective the first day of April in 1771. The county was named for the first Earl of Chatham - William Pitt, 1708-1778). According to history, the Earl of Chatham was a true believer in the right of America and defended these rights in the British Parliament. Perhaps that zeal of patriotism transmitted itself to the inhabitants of Chatham County, because the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions struck the customary extolling of the King and his titles, in 1773, long before the first shot rang out in New England. Even though Chatham was a Crown Province of North Carolina until statehood was established on July 4, 1776. The county seat of Pittsboro was named for William Pitt, the younger, who was the youngest prime minister of Great Britain. He was 24 years of age, at the time.Chatham was created from Orange County whose area was ten times what it is now. Because of political factions and difficulty in holding court and recording documents, the distance being so great, the counties of Guilford, Wake and Surry were created at the same time as Chatham. As a deterent to the meeting and assembly of these factions and to facilitate the governing of them. Chatham is in the center of the state, in the hilly, timber covered section of the state. The counties that are neighbors are: Almance, Durham, Harnett, Lee, Moore, Orange, Randolph and Wake.

Parent County

1770--Chatham County was created 5 December 1770 from Orange County. County seat: Pittsboro [2]

Boundary Changes

In 1897 Chatham lost a portion of the NW boundary to Alamance Co., from a survey to establish a previously de facto boundary.

In 1907 Chatham lost a portion of the SE boundary to form the newly established Lee Co.

Record Loss

Many court records missing.

The court minutes and other court records from the time of ratification of the bill to estalish the county, in April of 1771 to 1774, there are no pleas and quarter session minutes.

There is a gap of about 5 years between 1800 to 1805 in these minutes.

Places/Localities

Populated Places - Population as of the 2000 census

Incorporated Cities:

Fearrington - population: 903

Goldston - population: 319

Pittsboro - County Seat- population 2, 226. It is located 34 mi. SE of the state capitol, Raleigh.

Land

The Register of Deeds Office maintains the following records for public inspection and retrieval:

All Chatham County land transactions, including any sales or exchanges of real property in the county. This includes any transactions involving parcels of land, easements, rights of way and leaseholdings.* Security documents, such as deeds of trust, mortgages, and uniform commercial code filings.* Public records of notaries.* Records of businesses operating under assumed names.* Vital records, including births, deaths and marriages. The office provides certified copies of vital records to persons who are eligible under state law.

Clerk of Superior CourtThe elected Chatham County Clerk of Court is David Samuel Cooper. He and some 14 staff members are responsible for all clerical and record keeping functions of the General Courts of Justice. His staff is spread throughout the courthouse annex and is organized according to their function and duties.

The Clerk's offices are open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is (919) 542-3240, the fax number is (919) 542-1402, and the mailing address is P.O. Box 369, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

Decedent's Estates: Periodic inventories and the accountings necessary to administer the estates of deceased persons are filed, and appropriate forms obtained, from Clerk of Court. Estate-related business is conducted and all estate-related records are maintained at the Clerk of Court's Office, 12 East Street, Pittsboro. This office is also where wills are probated. It is a good idea to contact this office before making an official visit in order to insure that all of the required documentation is available.